Part 11 (2/2)

”Ver' bad day,” said Salim Awad. ”Ver' beeg wind for thee punt.”

The pack was hoisted from the boat.

”An the gla.s.s don't lie,” Sam Swuth promised, ”they's a sight dirtier comin'.”

Salim lifted the pack to his back. ”Ver' beeg sea,” said he. ”Ver' bad blow.”

”Ghost Rock breakin'?”

”Ver' bad in thee Parlor of thee Devil,” Salim answered. ”Ver' long, black hands thee sea have. Ver' white finger-nail,” he laughed. ”Eh?

Ver' hong-ree hands. They reach for thee punt. But I am have escape,” he added, with a proud little grin. ”I am have escape. I-Salim! Ver' good sailor. Thee sea have not cotch _me_, you bet!”

”Ye'll be lyin' the night in Hapless?”

”Oh my, no! Ver' poor business. I am mus' go to thee Chain Teekle.”

Salim Awad went the round of mean white houses, exerting himself in trade, according to the cure prescribed for the mortal malady of which he suffered; but as he pa.s.sed from door to door, light-hearted, dreaming of Haleema, she of the tresses of night, wherein the souls of men wandered astray, he still kept sharp lookout for Jamie Tuft, the young son of Skipper Jim, whom he had come through the wind to serve. Salim was shy-shy as a child; more shy than ever when bent upon some gentle deed; and Jamie was shy, shy as lads are shy; thus no meeting chanced until, when in the afternoon the wind had freshened, these two blundered together in the lee of Bishop's Rock, where Jamie was hiding his humiliation, grief, and small body, but devoutly hoping, all the while, to be discovered and relieved. It was dry in that place, and sheltered from the wind; but between the Tickle heads, whence the harbor opened to the sea, the gale was to be observed at work upon the run.

Salim stopped dead. Jamie grinned painfully and kicked at the road.

”h.e.l.lo!” cried Salim.

”'Lo, Joe!” growled Jamie.

Salim sighed. He wondered concerning the amount Jamie had managed to gather. Would it be sufficient to ease his conscience through the transaction? The sum was fixed. Jamie must have the money or go wanting.

Salim feared to ask the question.

”I isn't got it, Joe,” said Jamie.

”Oh my! Too bad!” Salim groaned.

”Not all of un,” added Jamie.

Salim took heart; he leaned close, whispering, in suspense: ”How much have you thee got?”

”Two twenty-an' a penny.”

”Ver' good!” cried Salim Awad, radiant. ”Ver', ver' good! Look!” said he: ”you have wait three year for thee watch. Ver' much you have want thee watch. 'Ha!' I theenk; 'ver' good boy, this-I mus' geeve thee watch to heem. No, no!' I theenk; 'ver' bad for thee boy. I mus' not spoil thee ver' good boy. Make thee mon-ee,' I say; 'catch thee feesh, catch thee swile, then thee watch have be to you!' Ver' good. What happen?

Second year, I have ask about the mon-ee. Ver' good. 'I have got one eighteen,' you say. Oh my-no good! The watch have be three dollar. Oh my! Then I theenk: 'I have geeve the good boy thee watch for one eighteen. Oh no, I mus' not!' I theenk; 'ver' bad for thee boy, an' mos'

ver' awful bad trade.' Then I say, 'I keep thee watch for one year more.' Ver' good. Thee third year I am have come. Ver' good. What you say?' 'I have thee two twenty-one,' you say. Ver', ver' good. Thee price of thee watch have be three dollar? No! Not this year. Thee price have _not_ be three dollar.”

Jamie looked up in hope.

”Why not?” Salim Awad continued, in delight. ”Have thee watch be spoil?

No, thee watch have be ver' good watch. Have thee price go down? No; thee price have not.”

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